Microsoft OneDrive - Fix OneDrive sync problems

March 03, 2023 18:36

We're sorry that you're having trouble syncing your OneDrive. To help get you started, select the icon that you're seeing from the list below.

If the OneDrive icon you are looking for is not listed here, please read What do the OneDrive icons mean?

Windows

OneDrive sync error icon OneDrive sync error

OneDrive for Business sync error icon OneDrive sync error

OneDrive processing changes icon or OneDrive for Business processing changes icon OneDrive processing changes

OneDrive paused icon or OneDrive for Business paused icon OneDrive paused

OneDrive full icon OneDrive account nearly full

OneDrive account frozen notification icon OneDrive account full, locked or frozen

OneDrive not runnning icon OneDrive not signed in

SkyDrive error icon SkyDrive sync error

Old OneDrive for Business sync error icon OneDrive (old version) sync error

Mac

OneDrive for Mac sync error icon OneDrive for Mac sync error

Windows File Explorer / macOS Finder

OneDrive file explorer sync error OneDrive sync error

OneDrive file explorer processing changes icon OneDrive processing changes

Windows File Explorer file locked File locked

I can't see any OneDrive icons

Windows

On a PC, you should see a white or blue OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.

You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow The Show hidden icons button. next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon.

Windows taskbar showing hidden icons

If the icon doesn't appear in the notification area, OneDrive might not be running. Select Start, type OneDrive in the search box, and then select OneDrive in the search results.

Mac

On a Mac, you'll see the OneDrive cloud icons on the top Menu bar. If you don't see the Menu bar, you may need to adjust your General preferences.

If the icon doesn't appear in the Status menu area, OneDrive might not be running:

Find OneDrive in your Applications folder.
Right-click OneDrive and select Show Package Contents.
Browse to the Contents > Resources folder.
Double-click ResetOneDriveApp.command (or ResetOneDriveAppStandalone.command if you're using the standalone app).
Start OneDrive and finish the setup process.

OneDrive not signed in

Select the Start button, search for “OneDrive”, and then open it:
- In Windows 10, select the OneDrive desktop app.
- In Windows 7, under Programs, select Microsoft OneDrive.
- In Windows 8.1, search for OneDrive, and then select the OneDrive app.
When OneDrive Setup starts, enter your personal account, or your work or school account, and then select Sign in.

File locked padlock icon

Windows File Explorer file locked OneDrive will show a padlock icon next to the sync status if the file or folder has settings which prevent it from syncing.

OneDrive account nearly full

OneDrive full icon If you see this icon, it means your OneDrive storage is nearly full.

Caution: Your OneDrive account will be frozen if you exceed your OneDrive storage limit for more than three months.

To prevent going over your storage limit, you have three options:

Delete some files and folders. View the largest files on your OneDrive.
Free up OneDrive storage by reducing what your sync. You can do this with Files on Demand or by choosing which OneDrive folders to sync with your computer.

OneDrive account full, locked or frozen

OneDrive account frozen notification icon If your OneDrive is full, locked or frozen you may be signed out of OneDrive on your computer.